Maverick Vinales has been transferred to a local hospital for further examination on a potential shoulder injury after a violent highside during a wet qualifying at the German MotoGP.
The Tech3 KTM rider had just fought through a rain-soaked Q1 alongside Johann Zarco to earn a place in the pole position shootout, but was thrown from his RC16 on the out-lap at Turn 4 – a corner that also caught out Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller in a near identical crash.
While Vinales was able to walk away, he did not return to the track and was later taken to the medical centre for initial assessment. MotoGP has since confirmed that the Spaniard has been sent to a local hospital for more detailed checks on his shoulder.
The incident leaves Tech3 KTM in an even more precarious situation, with team-mate Enea Bastianini already ruled out of the Sachsenring round due to appendicitis.
Miller, who was also launched into the air just moments later, managed to return on his spare bike and qualify ninth.
If fit to continue, Vinales will line up in twelfth place on the grid for this afternoon’s MotoGP Sprint race, which starts at 3pm local time.
